Rail-spike



J. H. BRUMFIELD.

RAIL SPIKE. APPLICATION FILED APR.26. 1919.

Patented June 8, 1920.

( vmmwtoz Wflmwo 0 .1 I I I e D attoznup UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. BRUMFIELD, OF ARMOR, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOELMER C. FERRELL, OF ARMOR, VEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL-SPIKE.

Application filed April 26,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs H. BRUMFIELD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Armor, in the county of Mingo and State of West Virginia,have invented a new and useful Rail-Spike, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to rail-spikes and has as its particular objectto provide a spike which when driven in the rail tie to hold the rail,will not work loose, due to vibration.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a railway spikewhich is positively locked against movement and which does notnecessitate the altering of the construction of the rail.

Another object of the invention is to provide a railway spike, which isas simple to be assembled with the rails as the ordinary spike.

A further object resides in the provision of a railway spike which issimple in con struction, consists of few parts, and which may bemanufactured and put in use at a minimum cost.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description and amplified therein, the inventive featuresbeing defined in the appended claims.

With the above objects in mind, the invention consists of combinationsof elements, arrangement of parts, and general assemblage which will behereinafter referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawingwherein:

Figure 1 is a view of a rail held in place by my improved spike, remotespikes being also shown in position before being driven in the tie;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the spike;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a modified construction of,spike.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates the shank of myimproved spike which is tapered and otherwise formed in a conventionalmanner. The upper end of the shank is formed with a head 6 whichoverhangs the shank.

Formed in the upper end of the shank is a transverse recess 7 whichextends the en- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1920.

1919. Serial No. 292,779.

tire width of the shank and is overhung by the head 6.

A locking plate 8 is provided upon which the rail 9 rests and isprovided with rectangular openings 10 through which the spikes extend,four of these spikes being used in this instance to secure the rail tothe ties. The metal is bent upwardly when the opening 10 is struck toprovide a locking tongue 11 which is normally angularly disposed at oneside of the opening before the spike is driven into the tie. WVhen thespike is driven into the tie the overhanging head 6 strikes the upturnedtongue and forces the same into the recess 7. The spike is then drivenuntil the head strikes the base flange of the rail with the tongueextending upwardly at an angle in position to prevent displacement ofthe spike with respect to the rail. In Fig. 3 a modified form of thespike is illustrated. In this modification the inner face of the shankjust beneath the head is provided with a notch 12 which receives thebase flange of the rail and the outer and opposite face is formed with arounded enlargement which increases the strength of the upper part ofthe spike, this part receiving the strain of the rail.

From the above it will be seen that the spike will be held againstvibration as the train passes over the rail and thereby prevent the railfrom becoming loose.

This disclosure is merely for the purpose of illustrating my idea and itwill be understood that the construction outlined may be modified andthat my limits of modification are only governed by what is claimed.

i Vhat is claimed is l. The combination with a railway spike having atransverse recess therein, of a locking plate having an opening thereinfor receiving the spike, a bendable tongue disposed at one side of theopening adapted to be engaged by the head of the spike to force thetongue into the recess, said tongue extending upwardly and inwardly intothe recess.

2. A rail spike including a shank having a head, the shank beingprovided with a transverse recess in close proximity to the head andextending the entire width of the shank, a locking plate having a tongueIn testimony that I claim the foregoing struck therefrom and disposedupwardly at as my oWn I have hereto afiixed my signaan angle and in thedirection of the spike ture in the presence of two Witnesses. adapted tobe engaged by the head of the JAMES H. BRUMFIELD. bolt to force thetongue into interlocking Witnesses:

engagement in the recess When the spike is ELMER G. FERRELL,

driven into the tie. THos. A. SHEWEY.

